Closures & Construction

Trail reconstruction, air conditioning repairs, storm damage...it takes a lot of work to keep a national park in good repair.

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We are Seeking Public Comments on Plans for Trail Improvements at Barataria Preserve

The trails and boardwalks of the Barataria Preserve of Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve were extensively damaged by Hurricane Ida which made landfall near Port Fourchon, LA, as a Category 4 storm with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph on August 29th, 2021.

The National Park Service (NPS) proposes to repair hurricane-related damage to the trail network and:
• Evaluate rebuilding specific boardwalks and trails at a higher elevation to be more resilient to future storm events, sea level rise, and land subsidence;
• Evaluate segments or spurs of the trails that can potentially be removed and returned to a more natural state, including trail segments that are recurrently flooded for most of the year;
• Evaluate materials and methods for construction for resiliency and environmental impacts.

Construction would be implemented in separate phases and as funding allows. Currently, projects for 6 trail and boardwalks are funded. Planning has begun on Marsh Overlook, Bayou Coquille, Visitor Center, and Education Center Trails with construction expected in 2025. Planning was completed in February 2022, on segments at Christmas Road and Ring Levee Trail, with construction expected to begin in Winter 2022 with completion in 2023.

The National Park Service is requesting your input on the proposed Trail Improvements at Barataria Preserve. We will be accepting comments through October 31, 2022.

See more information and provide comments at Parkplanning - Trail Improvements at Barataria Preserve (nps.gov)

 

Read about the long-term project for marsh and shoreline restoration.